At EHM we are lucky to have a great group of peer workers working here and using their personal experience to help the different clients who come through our doors. We were able to sit down with one of these workers, Debbie, who was able to tell us about her time working at EHM. Debbie came to us through a job training program and has been with EHM for a year now, and loves it here. Working at Evangel Hall has given her the opportunity and stability she needs to not only care for herself, but she is also now able to provide for her brother, who is in need of constant care. “It makes me happy I’m able to look after him.”
“Before EHM my life was pretty unstable, I didn’t know if I was going to have to put my brother in a shelter, now [since working at EHM] I feel stable, I think my brother feels stable. It’s given me stability.” – Debbie
Something that Debbie appreciates at EHM is the work EHM has put into making the Drop In a safe place – one of the reasons why the EHM Drop In attracts more women and seniors than other places in the community. Debbie also sees that the Drop In is a way for people on the streets to socialize, a place to gather with their friends, “I think they consider this part of their family.”
As well as her great work in the Drop In, Debbie helps out with sorting through the various donations that are brought to us and is grateful for every single item that comes in because she knows that when people are in need, they can get it from EHM. “when donations come in, we get excited when we see a bag of soap!… If it wasn’t for the donors, I don’t think this place would survive without their help.” EHM is grateful that they have been able to provide this opportunity to Debbie and are lucky to have her.